Author Topic: Williams peep sight for Benjamin/Sheridan air rifles (Read 9455 times)

str8shuter · « **on:** February 02, 2004, 02:08:15 PM »

Hi everyone

I'm new to this forum and after reading all of your posts for the past few months (and learning quite a bit I might add) I have a question.
I have a Benjamin 392 and is very accurate with the open sights. I had gotten a Williams peep sight which mounts to pre tapped holes in the receiver. Question is should I remove the rear sight from the gun and use just the peep sight and front sight or leave the rear sight (which seems kind of redundant)? The only weapon I've shot that had a peep sight was an AR15 and it only had a two size peep sight with a front sight for aiming. The reason I'm asking is that anytime I see photographs of the Benjamin/Sheridan rifle with a peep sight mounted, the rear sight is still on as well. I didn't know if this was just for photographs or that it helps the aiming accuracy of the peep sight. As you can see, I'm just a little confused :?

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2004, 04:37:47 AM »

I have a Sheridan Silver Streak with the Williams peep sight installed on it.
I left the iron sight as installed on my rifle.
There is no interferance with both sighting the gun or pumping it.
It might be redundant, but losing the removed sight sounds worse to me.
BTW, the Williams peep sight seems as it was specifically made for our Sheridan's and Benjamin's.

Bill

str8shuter · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2004, 06:01:23 AM »

Thanks for the info. I didn't want to "scope" this gun, since I have other air rifles with scopes. The peep sight seemed like the best way to increase its sighting accuracy without a cumbersome scope getting in the way while pumping the rifle. I hope that I won't have to adjust the peep sight any lower, it's down at the bottom now (for 12 yrd. shooting) and it can't go any further. Is yours the same?

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2004, 07:10:58 AM »

Mine's the same.
I'll hit at the 12-o-clock point when shooting at 10 meters, however, my groups usually are one ragged hole.
Hitting a bit high at short range doesn't bother me because I want point of aim at 100'.
My Silver Streak has the Mac-1 "Steriod" modifications and will hold spot-on out to 120' with 10 pumps.
I hunt with my Sheridan far more than I target shoot with it.
I have a BSA Supersport with stock iron sights that I use more with targets.

Bill

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2004, 07:19:50 AM »

I forgot to add that scoping any Benjamin or Sheridan could be hazardous to the barrel as it is made of brass.
The clamp-style scope mounts out there have been known to ruin barrels by collapsing them somewhat.
Mac-1 can mill and install a receiver mount on your rifle to better mount a scope, but I have found the peep sight is more than adequate for the rifle at any usable range.

Bill

str8shuter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2004, 08:27:59 AM »

I've never heard that the mounts for a scope could damage the barrel...that's good to know and it does make sense, like you said the barrel is made of brass.
At least I know now that my peep sight is not defective since yours is the same. I guess there would be no need to sight in at under 10 meters, hence the lack of a lower adjustment.....now I get it! :oops:
I thought about the "steroid" treatment for my gun but I decided that it's powerful enough the way it is. If anything, I would like to get the trigger done so that it's not so gritty feeling. Anyway, I still like the gun a lot. Thanks again for the info.

Mark D.

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2004, 09:30:21 AM »

I did all the Mac-1 modifications solely for hunting and a flatter trajectory at longer ranges. I agree the stock rifle has ample power as delivered.
About 5-6 years ago, the Sheridan I owned for 35 years was stolen. Nothing was wrong with it, and it hit as hard as new.
I replaced it with the Silver Streak. Actually, I ordered the rifle, steroid tune, valve modification, billet lever, peep sight and trigger job all from Mac-1.
Tim McMurray (Mac-1) really understands these rifles/pistols and runs a top-notch shop.
If you do a lot of target shooting you still might consider their steroid tune, billet lever and trigger job. You will pump your gun far less times to achieve good target velocity than you do now.

Bill

str8shuter · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2004, 05:25:44 AM »

You make a good point regarding the flatter trajectory for longer range with a steroid tuned gun. How would you describe your trigger after Mac1 worked on it?(compared to the stock trigger action) Also, does the billet lever mod make the pumping mechanism that much stronger?
Unfortunately for us citizens in the wonderful state of NJ we cannot order air rifles from internet stores (they refuse to ship due to our laws). I saw the Mac1 site and what it costs if you purchase a rifle from them and have the work done compared to having them do work for a gun that someone would send to them. I might have to splurge and get the work done, but I was curious if the finished rifle was THAT much better.

Mark

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2004, 01:29:44 PM »

Mark.

The trigger is THAT much better. The creep is totally eliminated and the let off is between 1 and 1 1/2 oz.
My trigger never felt gritty, though.
Do you have the "new" Benjamin? Mine (Sheridan) is 5 or so years old and I understand that both the Sheridan and Benjamin were subsequently modified by the factory. I think I read that the pumping lever was beefed up, but I'm not certain.
The Mac-1 billet lever is solid alloy. It replaces two cold rolled-pressed/formed steel pieces making up the stock pumping lever. Most older Benjamin's and Sheridan's died because the pumping lever wore out due to pumping off center. The billet lever solves the problem, but Mac-1 still suggests you oil the pivot points every time you use the rifle.The other causes of early death are over pumping, blowing the valve, and storing the rifle without two pumps in it.

Bill

big6x6 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2004, 02:10:03 AM »

Tim at Mac-1 seems to do a great job on everything. He fixed up an R-1 .22 for me a while back. Installed a Venom Power kit, chopped the barrel, and installed a Venom brake. This R-1 shoots at 22ftlb ME!

You all have FORCED me to take a pic of my Silver Streak with the Williams sight installed and the OEM rear sight removed.

http://photos.imageevent.com/chill6x6/muzzleloaderpics//websize/savagesheridan1400gps%20008.jpg

It is from the first to be produced by Crosman/Benjamin/Sheridan with a beautiful walnut stock, stock buttplate, and tang push-pull style safety.

Here is also a pic of my two Silver Steaks the one above, a 1992 E. Bloomfield, NY gun and a late sixties Racine, Wis gun.

http://photos.imageevent.com/chill6x6/muzzleloaderpics//websize/savagesheridan1400gps%20006.jpg

str8shuter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2004, 05:09:37 AM »

I have a "new" Benjamin 392, purchased about 3-4 months ago. Like I had said before, I really like the rifle as is, and was pleasantly surprised by it's accuracy. The trigger is " rough" maybe gritty was the wrong word to use. James E. House (American Air Rifles) had written that his Shreridan's trigger, which was an older model, had a decent trigger pull but the new ones he described as felt like "dragging one brick across another". I guess I should have described it more like that. By the way, that is a great book "American Air Rifles". A lot of tests of Crosman, Daisy, Benjamin and Sheridan air riles. At this point, listening to what both of you had said about the work done on your rifles at Mac-1, I'm destined to have my 392 done there as well. Those "Silver Streak" Sheridan's are nice looking rilfes. I can foresee purchasing one in the near future.
Also, question for BIG 6X6: Is the rear sight easily removed? It looked like it was just a clamp on the barrel, but didn't want to remove it for fear of damaging it or the barrel.

Mark

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2004, 09:17:36 AM »

Mac-1's price for the full tuned Silver Streak is $250 (tune, valve, billet lever and trigger job)
The Williams peep sight is an additional $25.
It seems like a lot of money for an airgun, but quality is not cheap.
I found my Silver Streak mis-marked at a large department store. They had marked the blue and silver models with the same price. I remember paying something like $80 for it :grin:
By the time I added all the Mac-1 mods, peep sight and paid freight, I almost had $250 invested in mine. That was 5-6 years ago. I also paid $150 for a new Supersport .22 around the same time.
If I were to do it again (which I would) and didn't find a lucky bargain like before, I would buy the gun from Mac-1 with all the modifications.

Bill

str8shuter · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2004, 01:10:55 PM »

WOW, only $80.00 for a Siver Streak rifle........I guess one could say that you really stepped into it, huh :-)
I really like the idea of buying an air rifle directly from Mac-1 with all of the modifications, however, no one will ship new air rifles to my wonderful state (New Jersey) due to restrictions :x . Air rifles of any power are considered firearms and as such need to be purchased with a FAID card in state. I will have to purchase one from a sport store/gun store then send it to them for the mods (at higher cost of course). My next air rilfe was going to be an Air Arms Pro Sport or TX200.....now it is going to be a Sheridan C9 and one of the Air Arms rifles. That reminds me, How does the silver/chrome plating hold up on those rifles? In the past I've always kept away from the silver plated guns thinking that it would start to peel/flake off. I assume that there is no problem, since I haven't heard anyone mention it as well as viewing the photo's of big 6X6.......everything seems good.

Mark

big6x6 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 06, 2004, 12:47:59 AM »

"Also, question for BIG 6X6: Is the rear sight easily removed? It looked like it was just a clamp on the barrel, but didn't want to remove it for fear of damaging it or the barrel."

It MUST have been because I did it! Seriously, I put that sight on there within weeks after I got the rifle and that was about 1992 or 1993. That was also several houses ago, I don't kow WHERE the original sight is and have no idea how I took if off. It HAD to have been easy to do though, and it did not hurt the finish.

"How does the silver/chrome plating hold up on those rifles?"

The ten year old SS looks brand new. The thirty plus year old SS still looks very good. I have two old Blue Streaks and they do seem to age more gracefully. The blue just wears off in time to the brass.

John Traveler · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2004, 08:58:08 PM »

My 30-year old Sheridan Blue Streak (Racine, Wisconsin manufacture) looks and works like new except for minor bluing wear on the edges of the front sight.

That "bluing" on the Blue Streak was blackening of the brass barrel and piston/pump tube and surprisingly durable, since brass will not rust through like a blued steel surface would.

The Silver Streak model is a matte nickle plating, I believe, and also extremely durable because nickle-plating on brass gives excellent adhesion. Nickle-plated steel is commonly done over a copper undercoat for the same reason.

The Williams rear peep sight used to be called the "Five Dollar" sight because that was the price some 30-odd years ago. It was listed as a factory accessory in the Blue Streak owner's manual. Yes, it was a standard Williams rear sight adapted specifically for the Sheridan receiver.

Talk about quality customer service! The old Racine factory felt that no customer was too small or insignificant. They answered every phone call and every letter they received. If only modern product support departments felt that way today!

Careless scope mounting can damge the brass barrel. The old Sheridan scope mount base attached to the barrel/piston-pump tube with small set screws, and if overtightened, would dent the barrel.

HTH
John

PaladinX13 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2004, 05:17:38 AM »

Quote from: str8shuter

I really like the idea of buying an air rifle directly from Mac-1 with all of the modifications, however, no one will ship new air rifles to my wonderful state (New Jersey) due to restrictions :x . Air rifles of any power are considered firearms and as such need to be purchased with a FAID card in state.

Mark

I won't testify in court about it (no intention of getting anyone in trouble) but say this to a fellow shooting enthusiast in NJ. Many retailers will work with you and ship you an air rifle to NJ regardless. What the government doesn't know, in this case, won't hurt them. I love my Steroid 392 and Air Force Talon...

Edit, I also have a stock Sheridan, but I find myself shooting the Steroid 392 much more... get get more power per pump and I've found .22 to be more reliable in hunting. The .20 in an interesting caliber... shoots nice and flat while still retaining some "oomph" but it's "expensive" to shoot relative to .177 or .22. I've got a Williams on it that makes it a fast rabbit gun; but use the scoped 392 more- the scope simply makes shot placement easier.

Maine Woods · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2004, 05:52:38 AM »

Hey all my first time down here I am usually farther up on the web site. I was just given a Sheridan silver streak Old, ser. no. 5691h may 1969 I think ,I need to call Ben./ Sher. see about owners manuel. This gun has a heavy plastic black slip on cover between receiver and rear sight. Ben. / Sher. is currently out of stock on Peep sights :cry: It looks like the sight would mount to left rear of receiver 2 holes with cover and screws live there now. 2 questions how many pumps max? How can I get a hold of Tim McMurray / Mac 1 ? Oh one more question FPS ? Thanks in advance .

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2004, 06:58:29 AM »

< http://www.mac1airgun.com >

I bet Tim has the Williams sight in stock.
You have a cool rifle. I would suggest Mac-1's "steroid" job, trigger work and pump lever.
You'll see about 900fps, and your Sheridan will likely last your lifetime as well as whom inherits it.
As it stands now, I would not pump it above 6-7 pumps.

Enjoy.

Bill

Toml · « **Reply #18 on:** May 26, 2004, 03:18:37 PM »

Maine Woods:

Inspection Date: h = August. 5691 = 1965.

Serial numbers began with 000001 on April 10, 1972, according to Ronald E. Elbe's booklet, "Know Your Sheridan Rifles & Pistols" (Blacksmith, 1992).

big6x6 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2004, 02:06:32 AM »

Williams sight---5D-SH
http://www.williamsgunsight.com/default.htm

Eight pumps max.

FPS? At 8 pumps 550-650 fps depending on pellet weight.

offhand35 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 26, 2004, 03:03:01 AM »

Hello!

I've spent most of my forum time on the NEF/H&R forum, but I was glad to find this one too!
I had a Sheridan Blue Streak .20 cal. years ago, and still don't recall why I sold it......
Anyway, I've been shooting a Benjamin 392 for the past couple years for backyard woodchucks, noisy chipmumks, and bluejays that dive bomb my cats!!! :eek:

I had found the best price for the Williams aperture sight for this rifle at crosman.com, but as someone else on this forum had noted, they have been out of stock.....

I looked at the Crosman site on Tuesday 6/22, and the sight was no longer marked out of stock!! So I ordered one. I got the e-mail this AM that it shipped yesterday.

You've all also got me interested in the Mac-1 tune up. I'm getting 620fps with the Bejamin 14.3gr pellets, Tim said I could expect about another 100 fps with the tune up, when I called to ask about current prices. The tune up on my rifle will be $130, plus shpg, with approx. 4 week turnaround. (He did not sound real happy about working up my rifle, maybe he feels the job comes out better on a new one.....maybe I interrupted him on a busy day....)

That is a 33% increase in muzzle energy 12ft-lbs to 16.....

However, if I considered buying another air rifle, I'm in a quandary as to whether to continue persuing the Benjamin, or look for a .22 cal springer..or spending even more for a PCP ..I had a Beeman S1 once, but I think I'd prefer the pneumatic action....

Runs with Scissors · « **Reply #21 on:** June 26, 2004, 03:47:38 AM »

I have a .22 BSA Supersport. I also have a Mac-1 steroid Silver Streak.
Both have Williams sights.
When one shot counts, whether target or hunting, the Sheridan is my first choice.
Its just more accurate.
I also don't know what prompted me to sell my first Blue Streak.
I missed it immediately.

Bill

offhand35 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 28, 2004, 03:12:46 PM »

Well, my Williams aperture sight arrived in today's mail from Crosman! I ordered it on Wed., they e-mailed me Friday that they sent it, and it came in on Monday.

I had time to mount it on my Benjamin 392, remove the factory rear sight, and zero it in for 32yds this evening. That took 6 shots. After that it was watch out 35mm film cans.... :lol:

This is SO much easier to use for my tired (and tiring) eyes!

The rear sight was easy to remove, it is a spring tension claw gripping a strip of steel on each side of the barrel. I just tapped it back toward the receiver with screwdriver and light hammer until it slid off of the mounting pieces alongside the barrel. Do not ask me how I would put it back on though!! :eek:
At least I'm pretty sure that I would not want to do that anyway!